[sunrico90]

What are you doing to stretch your $$$ in Florida?

We consolidated our trips for shopping and we only go out to eat once a week....

I also carpool (for 3 years)...

Give us some ideas to get a money savings results...

[Lulu101]

Nothing. I'm still living large. Somebody has to shell out money to keep these businesses going.

[Lilybeans]

We weren't really big spenders anyway. We might get a pizza each week, but only went out to eat once or twice a month and then sports bar food- nothing fancy.

We've driven Toyotas for years, so gas wasn't ever a problem.

One thing I have done is stopped using credit cards and now I try to use my ATM exclusively, except for gas. The new debit cards work like credit cards without the interest.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

What are you doing to stretch your $$$ in Florida?

We consolidated our trips for shopping and we only go out to eat once a week....

I also carpool (for 3 years)...

Give us some ideas to get a money savings results...

Wow, only going out to eat once a week? Wish I could do the same, thats living high on the hog in these parts, we have had 6 restaurants go down recently, not to mention the 5 furniture stores, and who else knows how many mom-and-pop businesses.
we have the highest unemployment in the state here in Marion County, glad to hear someone is still able to eat out, or perhaps I should say eat period?

[compelled to reply]

I live debt free, within my means, so I haven't really had to degrade my lifestyle at all. I did start taking some college classes however, because you have to have something stable to stand on in turbulent times. Most posters here would probably be surprised to hear how young I am. I'm trying to drift further and further away from my job and more towards a college education, since I believe now is the time and I did build myself a comfortable situation. That's why I figure that if I can do well enough here to live a decent, even fairly luxurious lifestyle, why can't someone else with a higher education and more life/work experience do the same?

So, instead of trying to stretch my dollars, I'm trying to build a foundation to grow my dollars.

[Tinman313]

I also live debt free...... and eat chicken gizzards & rice. Been eating a lot of Ramen lately also, I guess the next item will be dinning with the cat at floor level.... I drive a 1996 Rice Burner with 275,000 miles....... It's so much fun living in Florida.... Once you hit 40 your a dinosaur in Florida. Unless you have 9 masters and 12 letters behind you sir name you live the Bubba Jim and Emmy Sue life style...... " Getter Done"

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

We weren't really big spenders anyway. We might get a (some moderately priced restaurant) each week ... nothing fancy.

We've driven Toyotas for years, so gas wasn't ever a problem.

... credit cards ...

Assuming one pays them off in full every month, I find credit cards useful because 1) they accumulate miles on frequent flier programs 2) they help keep track of expenses.

One thing not mentioned so far: shop especially for fruits and vegetables at local produce stands/farmers markets.

To be sure, they have imported foods, but, generally speaking, support local agriculture and it will support you, especially in the times that we are about to face.

Another thing: be sparing with the air-conditioning, at the least raise the temperature at night.

[floridasandy]

Originally Posted by bale002

Assuming one pays them off in full every month, I find credit cards useful because 1) they accumulate miles on frequent flier programs 2) they help keep track of expenses.

One thing not mentioned so far: shop especially for fruits and vegetables at local produce stands/farmers markets.

To be sure, they have imported foods, but, generally speaking, support local agriculture and it will support you, especially in the times that we are about to face.

Another thing: be sparing with the air-conditioning, at the least raise the temperature at night.

credit cards are good if you pay them off every month since you can get rebates or gifts with money you were going to spend anyway. i don't like to see them in the drive-thru at fast foods though since they slow the line down a little. i think we should be growing our own fruit since our citrus growers refuse to stop hiring illegal immigrant workers. i agree about the air conditioning and i like to feel a warm circulating breeze better than the cold air conditioning. i also like to go on the internet for product clearances when i am looking for something specific or to the fat wallet website.

[Muggy]

I'm with Compelled - we already live below our means, so we haven't cut back on anything. When my cell phone plan expires I may only renew 1 phone instead of two; we really don't need two.

I guess we eat out less, but that's because some of our favorite restaurants have closed (Don Pablo's, Roadhouse Grill).

[hdzup3]

i saw a clip on the news of this women who started buying store brands instead of name brands at the groccerie store. she is saving alot. whoo hoo for her i said to my husband, what about all of us that have been doing that right along, where do we go for the savings?